Changing to Linux for music making

[havran]

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[mjolnir]

I have been thinking about what audiojunkie was saying about dual booting and stuff.
I used windows most of my life up until about 2008. Then I switched to Linux. Before that, I dabbled with MacOS and even some Unix and DEC VAX in college right before the birth of the WWWeb. From about 2014 to present day, I would run only Linux, erasing every Windows install or buying used empty computers and installing Linux on them.

This year might be the year that I switch to dual boot or buy another computer. I thoroughly hate Windows but I use Windows constantly at libraries and stuff. And as much as my current Linux is stable, it is finnickey sometimes in terms of compatibility. I think audiojunkie really explained it well.

Dual booting could really be a nice way to do it. Unfortunately, my current system hardware only came with 64 GiB internal storage. I do have an external drive, but I use that for safety backups.

All I'm really saying is, I love Linux, but it's not as sweet as I used to think. In general, however, I do feel that desktop systems are much more user friendly than laptops. But if you do have to do Linux, I'd recommend these:

Linux Mint and cope with Cannonical's Ubuntu ridiculousness or use Linux Mint Debian Edition.
MX Linux with all it's bloatware and then switch to debian repos while you delete the bloat and dodge old debian softwares.
Last but not least, maybe run Manjaro Linux (which is loosely based upon Arch) and don't even touch the AUR at all, to maintain stability.

Definately do Yabridge but realise that it does take some upkeep and Windows might be easier and more stable for some VST's.
Also, realise guys like me are sometimes idiots despite our own genius. LOL

[audiojunkie]

@audiojunkie -- It's okay, man. Linux is safe. People around the world are keeping an eye on things.

Also, regarding sleeping arrangements: do you want the attic or basement tonight? I'll take the other without objection.

….um. Thanks?

[havran]

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[BertKoor]

Dual booting could really be a nice way to do it. Unfortunately, my current system hardware only came with 64 GiB internal storage.

Do consider to put in another internal drive, or replace it if room is an issue. SSD of course, should not cost much. My last dual boot machine (25 yrs ago) had 3 internal drives and I could run plain dos, win95 and os/2 warp, each from their own dedicated SCSI drive.

In general, however, I do feel that desktop systems are much more user friendly than laptops.

"User friendly" in what aspect? Desktop pc's are easier for swapping components, which you haven't done.

If you connect a laptop to a docking station or simple usb hub for keyboard & mouse, plug it into a monitor, with mains power on you can close the lid. Just let it sit on a corner of your desk and it's essentially a desktop machine.

[mjolnir]

thanks BertKoor
my laptop's hd is built in though with no expansion bays.

[bulevardi]

Before you give up entirely on Linux (or on GR7), you might want to give this forum a shot: https://linuxmusicians.com/index.php. It's an entire forum dedicated to fixing the kinds of problems you're having, and it's very active.

I know, I'm already 10 years on that forum. I love that community.
However, I started whining about my problems there and on the Reaper forum too (which is active and helpful aswel).
I think they're already tired of reading my double posts, as I suspect the same users are on all the boards, they probably read it here already too.

So one question is: How much would someone be willing to redivide their attentional pie to make the switch, if there are Windows apps or plugins that they want to keep using?

Until 10 years ago, I was working with Windows, but since I had major problems with a crash and couldn't reinstall, I switched to Linux on 100%. Bit by bit I learned (read: troubleshooted).
Since I couldn't get Wine/Yabridge working, I searched for other solutions to replace my Windows plugins.

For years it went fine.
Until last summer I was tired of my workflow and tried to explore new stuff... I gave Wine/Yabridge another try and that suddenly worked.
So I could finally test all the other developed plugins in the Win-world after 10 years. I was a bit baffled by the workflow and results I got from the new GR. But after a while I discovered the negative parts and now I cannot even reinstall it anymore.

So to answer your question: I cannot divide my attention. I wished GR had a native Linux version too. And I'm not going to switch to Windows just for the use of that one plugin. So if they don't provide a fix, I'll look for alternatives in the Linux world.

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Apart from that, I bought a new pc last year (Windows was installed on that by default), so I installed a dual boot Linux on it. I kept Windows on it for my wife who maybe needed it someday. Never booted in Win again until yesterday and I got a blue screen of death. Oh Well....
My wife: "but I need to use your pc for Windows soon...."
GRRR

[Tiles]

That's bad karma and even worse timing. There is a bad update for Windows 11 around at the moment. A fix is on the way afaik.

[planetearth]

It may a case of “too little, too late”, but did the BSOD suggest anything related to your BitLocker key in general? This is usually a fairly easily fixed issue; I had my client’s PC up and running again within 25 minutes. Then we tweaked the PC and re-enabled his backup.

If you’re seeing anything about BitLocker, don’t try to fix it yourself. Microsoft has a tool to help with this, but you’ll want to back up all of your data first. Again, this isn’t a ”dangerous” fix. But it is time-consuming, and since you’re dealing with command line stuff, things can get kind of hairy. But it’s fixable.

Steve

[bulevardi]

did the BSOD suggest anything related to your BitLocker key in general?

No, it says: "stopcode: CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT"

In the Grub2win bootmenu I found a submenu to choose 'windows recovery mode', but then it hangs with a black screen (until I turn it off).

When I bought the pc I received a sealed Microsoft recovery dvd.
However: the pc has no dvd-drive.

I think I still might have some dvd-player somewhere hidden in a chest (chances are low), from an old pc, if I find some time someday I can try open the pc-case and plug it in, perhaps that might help.

[planetearth]

Erm…just how old is this computer and where did you get it?! Microsoft hasn’t shipped physical DVD-ROM disc media in years.

It still sounds to me as if your Linux side isn’t optimized for audio. A couple of links for that have been posted in this thread today. And I still strongly suggest you join the LinuxMusician.org thread. (https://linuxmusicians.com/)

There are several threads which may be able to help you and/or be of interest to you:

https://linuxmusicians.com/viewforum.php?f=62 (Recording non-Linux software, using WINE & Yarbridge, for example.)

https://linuxmusicians.com/viewforum.php?f=4 (Configuring your PC)

You’ll probably find a lot of useful answers in this sub-forum: Software Support & Discussion. And as a newbie, the site’s moderators seem to want you to post in their newbie group. It probably wouldn’t hurt to ask that sub-forum if GR7 has a known memory leak. Make sure you post most of what you’ve said here, in addition to using the “demo” version of GR7, Native Access 2 not working under WINE, and Yarbridge sucking up a staggering amount of RAM.

Caution: Left to their own forums, Linux fanboys can be…well, extremely condescending and rude to newbies. It’s a known issue, and we’re all hoping the worst ones die before they even open your initial post. That may drop the total number of potential helpers from 1739 to 14. But those 14 will probably genuinely want to help, and they won’t be condescending, impatient, sarcastic, or rude. (Half of them probably still live with their parents who wouldn’t approve of such language, anyway.)

Regardless of how it goes, don’t forget let us know what the fixes were (if any), or that it just doesn’t work (if that’s the considered opinion of everyone there).

Good luck!

Steve

[dellboy]

When I bought the pc I received a sealed Microsoft recovery dvd.
However: the pc has no dvd-drive.

Was it an "old stock" new PC from years ago?

All new PCs I have bought in the last few years come with the Windows licence embedded in the bios. All I do is download the latest Windows ISO and install it - the licence activates automatically. Also, its been a long time seen I have seen a Windows bluescreen - the last time was years ago, and that was caused by a bad stick of ram.

[bulevardi]

I'll look at the disc when I'm back home. Perhaps there's nothing written on it with the exact word 'recovery'.
But it was a sealed envelope with a CD (or dvd) inside from Microsoft. There was a covered serial number on it, so I suppose it's sort of recovery thing.

It's a pc I bought around 15 months ago in a small shop around the corner, because I didn't want to go to a big chain far away, if any problem occurs I can just pass by right away.
The pc itself comes from another company that builts custom pc's from scratch with the parts you want.
So it's without a brand, not from HP/Dell/Lenovo/... and you can easily open the case, add and replace parts by yourself.
https://www.inpa-computers.be/product-c ... r-systems/
The pc I bought is a decent one, still happy with it, only the fan makes too much noise.

Windows was preinstalled on it already. I only had to setup my details and account at the first boot if I remember right.

[BertKoor]

thanks BertKoor
my laptop's hd is built in though with no expansion bays.

These often can be exchanged. You only need a temp system to clone the drive.

[Tiles]

Windows licence embedded in the bios.

The bios has nothing to do with the Windows license. That Windows auto activates has to do with preinstallations.